DEMANDING DEMOCRACY

	October 26, 2000
	Ray Suarez examines the political situation in the Ivory Coast, where a popular uprising yesterday overthrew a military leader who had claimed victory in Sunday's disputed election.

JIM LEHRER: Now, the demand for democracy in Ivory Coast. Ray Suarez narrates our report. RAY SUAREZ: For the third straight day, demonstrators filled the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan where with recent violence has claimed at least 50 lives. The clashes are part of a three-way power struggle in a country that, until recently, was one of Africa's economic and political success stories. Ivory Coast, which declared independence from France in 1960, is the world's largest cocoa producer and a destination for economic migrants from several nearby communities. The recent turmoil dates back to December, when the country's military leader, General Robert Guei, staged a bloodless coup. He promised to end the corruption of his predecessor and to hold democratic elections. The elections were held Sunday, after the general's allies on the Supreme Court barred two of the strongest opposition parties. Early returns showed him behind, but on Tuesday, General Guei dissolved the election commission and claimed victory in a four-way race. DANIEL BAMBA SHEIK, Interior Ministry, Ivory Coast (speaking through interpreter) The president of the republic has decided to dissolve the national election commission and we were asked to proclaim the results of the elections. RAY SUAREZ: But that same day, the main opposition leader on the ballot, Laurent Gbagbo claimed he won, accusing the general of fraud. Thousands of supporters of the opposition took to the streets in multiple locations, declaring the vote unfair and undemocratic. By Wednesday, several key military leaders took their side as well and engaged in gun battles with government forces. In parts of the city, the government troops were clearly outnumbered and stayed out of the way. Yesterday the pro-opposition crowds took over the TV and radio stations and then Gbagbo declared himself president. LAURENT GBAGBO, Ivory Coast Opposition Leader: (speaking through interpreter) I was leading in the election. General Guei wanted to take power by force. I asked you go to the streets and you did that and I want to thank you for that. RAY SUAREZ: As for the general, he is believed to have fled the country. But today another politician entered the fray. Politician entered the fray. Alassane Dramane Outtara-- widely considered the most popular opposition candidate-- is calling for new elections. He was disqualified from Sunday's vote on the grounds that his parents are natives of the neighboring country of Burkina Faso. Many of his supporters boycotted the election to support him, and today more than a thousand of them held their own protest, smashing cars and setting up roadblocks. Earlier today they reportedly clashed with allies of the new president. Meanwhile, the army, which is supporting the newly installed regime, has declared an overnight curfew until Monday morning. JIM LEHRER: And late today, the president said he will form a "unity government" with other parties, but he will not call another election.

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